Course facts

Name: Tropical Forestry (International Commonwealth Scholarship)

Qualification: MSc. If for some reason students have to withdraw from the programme before completion, and they have gained sufficient credits, they may be eligible for a PG Certificate or a PG Diploma.

Duration: 3 year part-time for completion of the MSc

Downloads

The School of Natural Sciences offers a postgraduate distance-learning programme in Tropical Forestry available to mature students from across the globe. It is also available to international students who have been awarded a scholarship by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC). We are hoping to secure CSC scholarships for 2019 entry, and if successful we will announce them in spring 2019. In 2018, five scholarships were available for applicants from the following developing commonwealth countries to study for our MSc Tropical Forestry by distance learning: Ghana, Guyana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Papua New Guinea, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.

The scholarships are worth over £14,550 to cover tuition fees, plus a generous bursary to enable scholars to attend a two-week study tour scheduled to be held overseas in July/August. A small study grant is also available to help scholars with study costs associated with distance learning (e.g. internet usage).

MSc Tropical Forestry is a part-time programme that is completed in three years. Taught modules make up the first two years, while the third year is dedicated to the final dissertation project. The programme builds on the existing links and strengths of the highly successful forestry masters and PhD programmes in the School of Natural Sciences: MSc Environmental Forestry, MSc Agroforestry, MSc Sustainable Forest Management (SUFONAMA), MSc Sustainable Tropical Forestry (SUTROFOR) and Forest and Nature for Society (FONASO). The SUFONAMA, SUTROFOR and FONASO programmes were developed by European Masters consortiums and funded by the EU Erasmus Mundus programme.

The programme is designed to provide students with an enriching education in the interesting and complex subject of tropical forestry. Students gain an understanding of the scientific, academic, and practical principles that underpin forest conservation, protection and management, forest ecosystem function, and the interrelationships between government, industry and communities’ forests and associated land-use. Suitable applicants include individuals working in forestry/forestry-related industries/natural resource management, particularly in the fields of planning, regulation, policy, monitoring and environmental protection. The course is also suited to individuals working in forestry education who wish to further their knowledge and expertise in order to improve their teaching.

The programme, which is accredited by the Institute of Chartered Foresters in the UK, is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills they need to become professionals working in tropical forestry-related sectors. Key modules cover social issues in forest management, agroforestry systems and practices, sustainable use of non-timber forest products, and silviculture. Modules in inventory, assessment and monitoring explore issues surrounding the sustainable management of global forest resources. The programme also includes a compulsory two-week study tour to a country with notable tropical forest resources in July/August 2019.

Course content is for guidance purposes only and may be subject to change.

This programme is part-time via distance learning. We estimate that students need to be able to commit at least 15 hours per week. The programme runs over three years. During years 1 and 2 students study modules which are assessed via individual and group coursework assessments and exams. Year 3 is a self-directed dissertation. The programme will include the following modules:

Applicants are expected to have at least an upper-second class degree in a relevant subject (forestry, conservation, land management, natural sciences, economics). Candidates with lower qualifications (e.g. lower second class degree or professional qualifications) who have sufficient, relevant work experience may also be considered.

Unlike in previous years, the CSC no longer stipulates that candidates need to provide evidence of their competence in English by means of IELTS.

The CSC requires that all applicants ensure they have at least one independent reference in support of their application. Applications for scholarships MUST be made directly through the CSC Electronic Application System (see below).

In order to study on this programme, students must have regular access to a computer with internet access, as the University cannot provide such facilities to distance learning students. Scholars who do not have access to reliable electricity and computing facilities will not be shortlisted for a scholarship. A small study grant (~GBP £150/year) will be provided to successful scholars to assist them with the costs of computing and internet access.

Applicants must ensure they are eligible for entry to the programme and that distance learning is an appropriate mode of study for them before applying for a CSC scholarship.

Ask the IEC for assistance...

We are pleased to announce that up to 5 fully-funded scholarships (each worth over £14,550 to cover tuition fees) are available for applicants from the following developing commonwealth countries to study for our MSc Tropical Forestry by distance learning: Ghana, Guyana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Papua New Guinea, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.

The scholarship also includes a generous bursary to enable scholars to attend a compulsory two-week study tour which will be held in a country with notable tropical forest resources in July/August 2019.

This postgraduate programme is primarily intended for students who already have an interest in forestry and who wish to learn more about the environmental and societal benefits that tropical forests can provide. Suitable applicants include individuals working in forestry/forest-related industries/ natural resource management, particularly in the fields of planning, regulation, policy, monitoring, conservation and environmental protection. The course is also suited to individuals working in forestry education who wish to further their knowledge and expertise in order to improve their teaching.

The scholarships are only available for entrants who are able to start the programme in September 2018.

Entry Criteria

In order to be considered for a CSC scholarship, applicants are expected to have at least an upper second class degree in a relevant subject (e.g. forestry, conservation, land management, natural sciences, economics). Relevant work experience is also valued. Applicants with a lower second class degree with relevant and sufficient work experience may also be considered.

In order to study on this programme, students must have regular access to a computer with internet access, as the University cannot provide such facilities to distance learning students. Scholars who do not have the opportunity to frequently access a reliable computer with reliable internet access will find that their distance learning experience will be hugely compromised. A small study grant (GBP £10 a month) is provided to successful scholars to assist them with the costs of computing and internet access.

Applicants should ensure they are eligible for entry to the course and that distance learning is suitable for them before applying for a CSC scholarship.

Application procedure

Application to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC)

Applicants who do not apply directly to the CSC cannot be considered for a CSC scholarship on MSc Tropical Forestry (distance learning). In order to be considered for nomination for a CSC scholarship, you must apply directly to the CSC.

Please note: The CSC online application portal will open on 1st April 2018.

The deadline for completing submissions to the CSC EAS is 23:59 BST Wednesday 20th June 2018.

Ensure you give your two referees sufficient time to complete their section of the Electronic Application System form.

All queries from candidates about the CSC EAS should be directed to eas@cscuk.org.uk.

Bangor University scholarship nomination procedure

In order for us to nominate the most suitable applicants, we shall select candidates for scholarships based on the batch applications to the CSC EAS. To assist us in this, please outline the following in the Future Career Plans (Objectives during the award)' section of your CSC EAS application form

How your registration on a distance learning forestry programme will fit into your existing work and personal commitments

You may also add other relevant information and/or experience you feel is necessary to support your application.

Two genuine references.

Once we have drawn up a shortlist, we will arrange telephone interviews with applicants in late June/early July. Therefore, you MUST include both your email address and a telephone number by which we can contact you. Applicants who we are unable to contact via email or telephone in late May for interview will not be shortlisted.

Application to Bangor University

Applicants wishing to be considered for a scholarship must not apply to Bangor until they have received information that they have been shortlisted. Applicants who are shortlisted by Bangor University for the CSC scholarship will be contacted by email to arrange a telephone interview after 20th June 2018. Shortlisted applicants will also be required to apply to Bangor University directly using the Bangor University online application form. We will then submit our nominations (5 nominees plus 5 reserves) to the CSC who will make the final decisions. We expect the CSC to announce their final decisions by July 2018.